It’s hard for Jim Curtin not to get excited about what the Philadelphia Union have built over the offseason. The positivity is emanating out of Curtin as the club finishes up its first full week of practices in Clearwater, Florida.

“I believe they’ve come in in better shape than they ever have,” Curtin said of the team’s fitness. “That leads to being able to work on a lot more for a longer period of time. Guys are coming in fit and guys are sharp.” 

Curtin was high on most of the squad’s progression since leaving for Florida on Tuesday, but he specifically noted Fabian Herbers as the player who looks the sharpest. The second-year player is one of many midfielders fighting for starting spots in the 4-2-3-1.

The competition for places in the middle of the park stiffened during the week, as the Union signed Haris Medunjanin and Fafa Picault to contracts. Medunjanin is expected to be the controlling midfielder the Union have sought since the sudden departure of Vincent Nogueira last summer. Picault’s speed has drawn the attention of the Union boss, and the United States international has a preferred position picked out as well.

“We want to be a team that has the ball and tries to dictate possession, that’s not always the case, but as a team philosophically we want to be the team that has the ball more,” Curtin said. “Haris is a guy who fits that. We have a great ball winners in (Warren) Creavalle and (Maurice) Edu and (Brian) Carroll, but Haris is a guy who brings a little different skill set to the group and one I think will complement the team very well.” 

“If you ask (Picault), he’ll tell you left wing where he can cut in on the right foot,” Curtin said. “That’s where we’ve been using him a lot in training. We want him to come in and compete for one of the wide spots. He did well on the right, but in discussions I’ve had with him, he would tell you his most comfortable spot is wide left.” 

Picault and fellow new addition Jay Simpson joined the group in Florida on Friday after their visa situations were settled. Medunjanin should be on the way sooner rather than later, Curtin noted.

One new face in the Union camp who has been with the club since training opened a week ago is continuing to open eyes. Oguchi Onyewu, who earned a first-team contract on Monday, has been one of the standouts of camp to date.

“Gooch has been doing a ton for us by sharing that knowledge and holding guys accountable, getting on guys in the right way with the right tone and getting a response from them,” Curtin said. “His soccer has been excellent. He’s been playing center back at a very high level in the short time he’s been going. He’s been above and beyond what I anticipated.” 

Adam Najem might not have earned a contract yet, but he’s been impressing during his trial stint with the club with his playmaking ability from the No. 10 position.

“(Najem)’s been excellent in training,” Curtin said. “He gets goals and assists, which I already knew about. In the short time with us, he’s shown he can do at the MLS level.” 

“You think of a Mauro Diaz-Benny Feilhaber combo,” Curtin added. “If you can think of the attributes of those guys with a similar size to a Diaz. For a young kid. I’m not calling him the next Mauro Diaz, but he’s done very well. That would be a comparison of the skill set that I see.” 

And as has been the case since his latest injury, Curtin provided an update on Maurice Edu, which once again was positive.

“Mo has been working very hard in the weight room,” Curtin said. “He’s put so much time in there. He looks strong and healthy. February 7 he will be cleared to resume running. He’s working incredibly hard to get back as fast as possible.”